Remains discovered in Washington identified as Travis Decker, a suspect in a child murder case.
The remains of Travis Decker, a 32-year-old father accused of the tragic murders of his three daughters in Washington State, have been positively identified by authorities. This confirmation comes as part of an ongoing investigation into the suspicious deaths of his children, who were found deceased earlier this year. The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office announced the identification on Thursday, revealing that both DNA from the remains and items of clothing matched Decker, thus concluding a three-month search operation.
Decker faced three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of first-degree kidnapping related to the deaths of his daughters, Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5. Their bodies were discovered at the Rock Island Campground in Leavenworth after they failed to return from a scheduled custodial visit on May 30. The tragic circumstances were compounded by disturbing details indicating the children had plastic bags over their heads and their hands bound with zip ties. Autopsy reports later confirmed the manner of their deaths as asphyxiation, prompting a swift manhunt for Decker, who had gone missing after the incident.
Decker’s truck was located at the crime scene, triggering an exhaustive search that spanned several weeks. He was recognized as a skilled outdoorsman and an Army veteran, which raised concerns about his ability to evade capture. After an extensive, yet fruitless search for him, efforts shifted from apprehending Decker to locating his remains, following evidence suggesting he may have perished in the wilderness.
On September 18, search teams recovered remains and clothing believed to belong to Decker in a remote area of Grindstone Mountain, a location less than one mile from the campground. Law enforcement officials required aerial support to access the site due to its challenging terrain. Sheriff Mike Morrison voiced condolences to the girls’ mother, Whitney Decker, during a subsequent press conference, stating that while the confirmation of Decker’s death could lead to closure, it does not alleviate the profound loss experienced by the family and community.
Whitney Decker had previously sought legal measures to prevent her ex-husband from having overnight visitation with their daughters until he secured stable housing. The ongoing case continues to draw attention as authorities seek to unravel the complexities surrounding this heartbreaking incident. The community, mourning the loss of three young lives, is left grappling with the aftermath of this tragedy, as law enforcement endeavors to provide closure while reflecting on the bright futures that have been lost.
The investigation remains active, with officials awaiting further results from the coroner, which could take several months. The tragedy highlights the urgent need for ongoing conversations about domestic safety and preventative measures to address similar incidents in the future.
